Archibald Prize Art in Geelong

In just under one hour on the train from Melbourne, you could be face-to-face with Mitch Cairns’ Archibald-Prize-winning portrait of his partner and artist ‘Agatha Gothe-snape’, or Peter Smeeth’s Packing-room-prized ‘Lisa Wilkinson AM’, alongside 41 other artworks selected in the prestigious art awards for 2017.

Though it is being shown in Geelong for the first time, this is a super-fitting locale for the highly-anticipated exhibition because the man behind the prize, John Feltham ‘JF’ Archibald, was in fact born in Geelong West in 1856 and lived in the region until his mid-teens.

Jason Smith, the Director of Geelong Gallery, has announced a suite of enticing programs around the exhibition, including Lectures @theDome, Little Creatures brewery after dark pop-up café and bar, and a ‘Who’s Who Portrait Prize’ for students, to name but a few.

Geelong Gallery is the only VIC venue that will showcase the exhibition before it hits the road again, so be sure to organise your trip before December 10!